Does Obama have to stand in the corner too?

This is getting ridiculous. President Obama, said to be an expert on the Constitution, cautioned the Supreme Court against overturning his health care program and said doing so would be “unprecedented.” Meanwhile, a three-judge federal panel hearing another case ordered the Justice Department to explain by today whether the administration believes judges have the power to strike down a federal law

“Does the Department of Justice recognize that federal courts have the authority in appropriate circumstances to strike federal statutes because of one or more constitutional infirmities? Judge Jerry Smith asked at the hearing on another health care case.

Smith ordered a response from the department within 48 hours. Fox News obtained a copy of Smith’s letter and reported it instructed the Justice Department to provide an explanation of “no less than three pages, single spaced” by noon on Thursday.

Children, enough:

Obama knows full well the high court can and has on numerous occasions overturned federal law. So does the Justice Department. Judge Smith and his colleagues know it too. In ordering this juvenile homework-like assignment, Smith and his colleagues reinforce the image of judges who are petty, thin-skinned and unprofessional. Small wonder the people are losing respect for judges and politicians.

Sandra Day O'Connor

Used to be people didn’t take themselves so seriously. When there was talk about naming a woman to the U.S. Supreme Court I asked one of the mentioned candidates, Sandra Day O’Connor, if she believed in the First Amendment. She said she did. In that case, would she sign a copy? She said she would.

And that’s how a framed copy of the First Amendment signed “With Best Wishes to Bob Ingle” by the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court came to hang behind the computer this is written on. I see it every day.

Named to the court by President Reagan, this woman who grew up on an Arizona ranch made quite an impression with her common sense style. Here’s my favorite quote from her:

“The power I exert on the court depends on the power of my arguments, not on my gender.”

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About Bob Ingle

Bob Ingle is Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey newspapers and co-author of The New York Times' Best Seller, "The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption" and "Chris Christie: The Inside Story Of His Rise To Power". He has won numerous journalism awards and is often a news analyst on radio and television. Twitter @ bobingle99.

Bob, I am not as convinced as you that the President really knows the history of the Supreme Court despite his impressive credentials as a law professor. This incident reinforces the impression that many have that he is a lightweight who is in over his head. He seems to have stumbled into his credentials rather than actually earning them.

If he really knows that the court has overturned legislation passed by Congress then why did he say otherwise?

I don’t think the judge is playing “tit for tat” with Obama. This is not the first time Obama has used his pulpit to mock, question and minimize the SCOTUS in public. The appellate judge was hearing arguments and felt it was necessary to include or have knowledge of the government’s intent and what value or probative weight those intentions or arguments would hold.
Obama’s present and previous statements are clearly an example of his true character or lack of character, as his behavior is prevalent when things do not go his way or his intentions are questioned.
No one knows his true behavior or character, as we do not hold the privilege of being a fly on the wall during day to day operations. The only thing we can do is presume, based upon the totality of his public behavior, accomplishments, and intentions.
Based on that analogy, I will not be voting for Obama in November.

Actually, no where in the constitution does it say that the Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional. Judicial review is not granted to the SCOTUS by the constitution – they took that power unto themselves under Marbury vs Madison.

I think this judge asked for the “essay”, which was signed by Eric Holder himself, BTW, to HELP Obama. He knew it would give the DOJ three single spaced pages to defend the President, and it was bound to hit the press with the adminstration’s arguments in clear language that would be picked up and trumpeted by the liberal media.

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Bob Ingle, Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey newspapers, on politics in "The Soprano State".

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Bob IngleBob Ingle is Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey Newspapers and co-author of The New York Times' Best Seller, "The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption." Hear him Fridays at 5 p.m. on www.tommygshow.com radio. twitter.com/bobingle99 E-mail Bob

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Chris Christie biography

"Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power," written by Bob Ingle and Michael Symons, offers the first inside portrait of New Jersey’s governor, who in two years as governor emerged as a national Republican Party figure famous for his blunt public statements. The book details Christie’s combative public persona and deep family roots, tracing his improbable political rise from a bruising stint in county government to his anti-corruption crusade as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power goes behind the scenes to reveal his family life, his public life, and what the future might hold..

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The Soprano State

"The Soprano State," written by Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure, details the you-couldn't-make-this-up true story of the corruption that has pervaded New Jersey politics, government, and business for the past thirty years. From Jimmy Hoffa purportedly being buried somewhere beneath the end zone in Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands, through allegations of a thoroughly corrupt medical and dental university, through Mafia influence at all levels, to a governor who suddenly declares himself a “gay American” and resigns, the Garden State might indeed be better named after the HBO mobsters.

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